Special Guests

Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli

Archbishop Comensoli holds a Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Catholic Institute of Sydney, a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in moral theology from Accademia Alfonsiana (Rome), a Masters of Letters in moral philosophy from the University of St Andrews (Fife, Scotland) and a Doctorate of Philosophy in theological ethics from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland).

On 20 November 2014, Archbishop Comensoli was appointed the third Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay and installed at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara on 12 December 2014. The following year he was appointed a Board Director of Catholic Schools NSW. On 29 June 2018, Comensoli was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne. He was installed on 1 August.

At a national level, Archbishop Comensoli is a member of the Bishops Commissions for Family, Youth and Life, and for Evangelisation. From November 2018, he will take up the appointment of Chair of the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement, and membership of the Bishops Commission for the Plenary Council.

Bishop Mark Edwards

On 17 February 1984, Mark Edwards made his final religious profession. He was ordained a priest on 16 August 1986 in Melbourne. Later, Fr Edwards continued his higher studies at Monash University in Melbourne, obtaining a Bachelor of Letters and a Doctorate in Philosophy.

Bishop Edwards worked as a teacher at Mazenod College in Mulgrave from 1986 to 1989 and at Iona College in Brisbane from 1990 to 1997. From 1998 to 2004 he was Aspirants’ Master at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave and from 2004 to 2007 he served as Novice Master.

Bishop Edwards worked as a lecturer at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 2005 to 2010. From 2007 to 2010 he was Director of Scholastics at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave and in 2010 he became Rector of Iona College in Brisbane. He has served as a counsellor of the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate from 2001-2012.

On 17 December 2014 Fr Edwards was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne by Archbishop Denis Hart at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne. Bishop Edwards is Episcopal Vicar for Tertiary Education and Youth.

Speakers

Kathryn Kinglsey MGL

Kathryn is a Missionaries of God’s Love Sister, passionate about encouraging young people to encounter the love and truth of God and equipping them to invite others to share in the joy and hope this brings. She is an avid tea, sport, and board games enthusiast, has degrees in Engineering and Exercise Science, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Theology in Melbourne.

Fr. Nicholas Pearce

Father Nicholas Pearce is the Assistant Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Melbourne and Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish Mount Waverley. He is currently studying a Masters in Psychology and has a passion for youth ministry and helping young Catholics reach their full potential.

Musicians

Genevieve Bryant

Genevieve Bryant is a household name to many in the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry scene. She has been composing, performing, and working with Schools and Parishes across Australia for over 14 years, and performs often with Fr Rob Galea, Steve Angrisano, Gary Pinto, Steve Kirk and many others. Genevieve composed, and performed, the 2015 Australian Catholic Youth Festival theme song ‘Pure of Heart,’ and also performed as a solo act at Tauron Arena in Krakow for World Youth Day, 2016.

Josh Angrisano

Josh is a songwriter, rapper, poet, producer, with a growing fan base on multiple continents, and has completed various creative projects while performing professionally for 2 years. This past year Josh has ministered to well over 25,000 young people by sharing his testimony and boldly proclaiming the Gospel, all the while using the vehicle of Hip Hop to share his witness through a relatable and poetic format. Hip Hop music, like millions of other young people, was a huge part of his life growing up, and he believes this art form has an enormous amount of untapped potential to evangelize within the confines of our Church.

Alyssa Agius

Alyssa Agius is a singer/keyboardist/teacher from Melbourne. Fronting Top 40 covers enterprise ‘Un-Limited’ (www.unlimitedcoverband.com) with her husband Daniel, she has been performing consistently around Melbourne, Australia and internationally at venues, weddings and corporate functions since the age of 16. Since attending World Youth Day in Spain in 2011, Alyssa has been using her gifts at different church events around Melbourne and in 2017, she joined the Gen Bryant Band where she had the opportunity to play to over 15,000 people at Qudos Bank Arena and The Domain as part of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Sydney.